The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-07-27

Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, of Elizabeth
town, graduate Of Yalc, charter was
obtained in 1746, and DIR. Dickinson
chosen first President of the College Of
New Jersey. Eleven years after, the col
lege was removed to Princeton, and thence
onward it has continued to grow and ex-
tend the influence OF its training and Gull
ture throughout the land. More than five
thousand graduates have gone from its
halls into the several professions aud
walks and works of life, and the goodly
influence they have exerted, are exerting
and will exert for the veal of the Nation,
is beyond telling.
Brown University, Of Providence, r. l.,
was nurtured at Hopeweil, in Hunterdon
county N. ]. In the year 1748, Rev.
Isaac Eaton, A. NJ, became the first reg
ular pastor Of the Baptist Church there
and continued the relation for upwards of
twenty.six years. During this time he
began school in connection with his du-
ties as pastor. His efforts in this work
were quite successful, and the school be-
came known. The talent and ability that
he displayed, in the double position of
preacher and teacher, brought him into
prominence in the Philadelphia Associa-
tion of Baptist Churches of which the one
he presided over was a member. Through
this body way was opened for enlarging
the field and measure of his educational
work. At meeting Of the Association,
under date of October 9th, 1856, the fol-
lowing resolution was passed: "Conclud-
ed to raise sum of money toward the
encouragement Of a latin grammar school,
for the promotion of learning among us,
under the care of Bro. Isaac Eaton, and
under the inspection of Brethren Able
Morgan, Isaac Steele, Abel Griffith and
Peter b. Van Horn.n This action and
soon came to have great influence, while
men who became eminent for divinity
went out from the teaching Of that won.
derful man. Other professions were well
represented among the graduates. Gator
was the first teacher among American
Baptists, who opened school for the ed
ucation of young men for the ministry
His first student was said to have been
James Manning, afterwards the first Pres.
ident of Rhode Island College, (now
Brown University About the year 1858,
an effort was made to make the school q
corporate institution, and a petition was
presented to the Legislature for that pur-
pose, but for some reason, perhaps, be-
cause one college already existed in the
State, the charter was not granted. AT
the instance of prominent Baptists in
Rhode Island, charter of incorporation
was obtained from the Legislature, and
the school removed there, under the name
of Rhode Island College, James Manning
being the first President.
Isaac Eaton died on the university
day of the Nations Independence, 1772,
at the age Of AZ years. A tablet was erect
cd to his memory; first, in the meeting
house and now in the cemetery of the
Hopewel Church. His funeral sermon
was preached by Rev. Samuel Jones, A..
NJ, from the text Job :21. The house
In which Mr.. Eaton conducted his school,
is still standing in the village of Hope
well, in good state Of preservation.
From Brown University was graduated
Edward McGill, child of Bucks county,
who has been since It's beginning, the
President OF Swarthmore College, in Del
aware county, Pa.
This deep, strong religious life, express
ed, not insignificantly, in the numerous
| buildings dedicated to the worship of AL
mighty God, but finding larger expires.
sion, IN the daily lives of the fathers, was
and is foundation wisely laid and built
upon. To II we owe much of the present
regard for religious privileges and bless
ings; this land of ours rising in pristine
lovliness from the bosom of the sea, Its
shore line laved by the foam crested bill
lows of the turbulent Atlantic, was the
goodly one of peace, stretching away
toward the -four winds of Heaven, and
presenting to their hopes, as full mea
sures of liberty in religious service, as the
land ON which the prince of the ark o
bulrushes gazed from the top of Nebo.
But tho handmade of religious liberty II
education, and so by tho side of th,
church was school, aud the love and in
terest in one was felt also in the other
Be it remembered that these foundations
were laid long before the Declaration o
Independence, so that 1t is not difficult /,
see how, from the religious life of trus
in God came the power, and from the ed
ucational training, the ability, to maxi
aud formulate such wonderful parch
ment, so carefully preserved in the Stat
House, at Philadelphia. May we jealous
ly guard these foundings Of the fathers
because they are the means TO an enlight
ened conscience, the promoters of nation
~ PAOoPOitOy Ah0 thp va VII
race.
This is pivotal period in our history
time demanding for its control men 0
piety, intelligence and patriotism, Gu
fathers left us legacy, adequate to NEE
the exigencies of the hour. May their no
BILE example in righteous living inspire il
us deeper fealty to the Christ of God
May the sacrifice and struggle through
which they passed, in order to lay th,
foundations of the churches and col
leges that dot the land to-day, incite us t.
q just appreciation of their gift, and maj
we prove our gratitude, by putting within
the reach Of every youth Of the land, thu
advantages of college education; ant
finally, may the patriotism, as displayed
In the accomplishing endurance Of thu
vigors Of Valley Forge, and in the un
firing energy of the field at Monmouth
under the excessive heat Of June sun
cast its spell over US all, that VIC b,
worthy sons Of worthy sires.
"We are living we are dwelling,
In grand and awful time,
In an age, on ages telling;
To be living is sublime"
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